Meet Uncle Ken Jones, the owner of “Bush Adventures” a small bush tours business in based in Port MacDonnell, SA.
Uncle Ken Jones is a proud Boandik Elder from Port MacDonnell, South Australia. He runs Limestone Coast Bush Adventures, where he shares stories, bush food, and Aboriginal culture through nature tours and school programs. Uncle Ken has lived a long life full of learning and teaching. He worked as a national park ranger, fisherman, builder, and even a lecturer. He’s been caring for Country for more than 50 years.
Uncle Ken wants to show people the beauty of Boandik Country from beaches and forests to lakes and volcanoes. He loves sharing his knowledge around native birds, bush tucker (food), bush medicine, and the six Aboriginal seasons. Uncle Ken also teaches in schools, sharing culture, stories, and language with thousands of children every year. He loves helping people feel a connection to nature and hopes to pass all of this on to his two young sons, aged 12 and 13.
“The regular meetings with my business coach Steve are one of the most useful assistance that I have received from Many Rivers. If I have a hard time or I get stuck somewhere, I call Steve and he helps calm me down. We work well together because we always find a solution. Steve has helped me grow better skills and he has given me so much confidence.” – Uncle Ken
Read more about Uncle Ken’s business journey so far:
Uncle Ken’s Business
I run bush adventure tours that teach about bush tucker and bush medicine. I am Aboriginal and I love sharing this knowledge. I also make short films for Facebook and teach in schools. I have been getting support from Many Rivers for about 2 or 3 years now. Lots of tourists and people from overseas are interested in Aboriginal food and nature and I love educating them through my bush tours. It’s a special market and I am lucky to be part of it.
I am proud to be a Boandik Elder. I am 73 and still healthy and strong. My grandfather, William Charles Westbury, was well known in our community. We still speak our language today. I teach about 6000 kids across 25 schools. I love teaching young people and oversea tourists about my culture, bush tucker and nature.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers? Why did you want to go into business?
I worked as a ranger in national parks and as a fisherman. I also worked with fisheries and wildlife. I was a builder for a bit too. I also ran a bush repair business and planted trees and did environmental work. I had 10 workers, but the government didn’t want to keep funding it. So I had to re-invent myself and I came up with the idea of bush adventure tours across Country.
Working with Many Rivers
How did you find out about Many Rivers?
I found out about Many Rivers through “The Circle” which is a Aboriginal support group in Adelaide.
Why did you want to go into business?
I wanted to keep sharing my culture, teaching others, and doing what I love in the bush and country.
What services did you receive from Many Rivers? How did it help?
My business coach Steve guided me with every part of my business. I didn’t know how to price my tours or school sessions, but Steve guided me with that and helped me make promotional flyers. He also showed me how to talk to different groups like tourists, teachers, and professionals.
Steve has taught me cashflow, and how to use Facebook and Instagram. He also showed me a booking system called Rezdy. He is my saviour to be honest!
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
The regular meetings with my business coach Steve are one of the most useful assistance. If I have a hard time or I get stuck somewhere, I call him and he helps calm me down. We work well together because we always find a solution. Steve has helped me grow better skills and he has given me so much confidence.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
No, I haven’t taken a loan yet.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
Just me. My two boys help me a little, they’re big boys now – 13 and 12.
Biggest Challenge
Money. It is hard to make enough to keep the business going. There are hidden costs like car registration, insurance, and government taxes.
Biggest Success
The biggest success for me is when people enjoy my bush tours and school visits. I love hearing my client’s positive feedback. I am grateful for my business as it keeps me physically active and happy at 73.
Biggest Change
Confidence is the biggest change for me. I have learned so much and I have had great support from Many Rivers. Steve feels like a big brother. I think Many Rivers has a great model which involve regular check-ins and real business coaching support. I couldnt do it without Steve’s constant support and guidance.
Future Goals
I want to live longer and grow the business further for my boys. I also want to keep making short films to teach people about the Aboriginal culture, bush tucker and . Nowadays, lots of people don’t like reading or walking, so I hope my videos can help them learn about my country.
Thank you Uncle Ken for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Uncle Ken’s small business, follow “Bush Adventures” through the following links:
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